10 Southside bands that blow our musical minds

THE Southside of Dublin has produced more than its fair share of musical talent, from The Boomtown Rats to Bell X1 and The Script. Here are 10 notable bands that made their mark on the scene. Apologies if we haven’t included your own personal favourites.

We hope you enjoy this video compilation we’ve put together for you.

1. The Boomtown Rats

Formed in the mid-1970s in Dún Laoghaire, The Boomtown Rats enjoyed huge international success between 1977 and into the early ‘80s. They officially broke up after performing at Self Aid in the RDS in 1986, although have played reunion gigs in recent times. Bob Geldof may be one of the grumpiest musicians of all time but we’re still incredibly proud to call him a Southsider. This is one of our favourite tracks.

 2. Something Happens

They haven’t gone away you know. Fronted by broadcaster Tom Dunne, they still play the occasional gig and have retained a loyal following. This is still their best-known hit, taken from their ‘Stuck Together With God’s Glue’ album in 1990.

3. Republic of Loose

Fronted by the energetic Mick Pyro, the band were once one of the hottest live acts on the scene, notching up radio-friendly hits like ‘Comeback Girl and ‘You Know It’. The debut album, ‘Aaagh!’, released in 2006, failed to live up to the promise of the early singles.

4. The Blades

Led by Ringsend man Paul Cleary, the band were once tipped for international stardom on a U2-like scale. Formed in the late 1970s, their early gigs in the Baggot Inn have taken on legendary status. This was one of their best tracks, from the 1985 album ‘The Last Man in Europe’.

5. A House

Fronted by Dave Couse, the band formed in 1985 after meeting in Templeogue College. Their songs were infused with the intelligent wit of their frontman, as evidenced on their 1988 album ‘On Our Big Fat Merry Go Round’. This standout track was taken from 1991’s follow-up, ‘I Am the Greatest’. Simply brilliant!

6. The Thrills

These Foxrock boys were more west coast California than east coast Dublin in their sound and for a while it looked like things were really going to take off for them. Their album, ‘So Much for the City’, was well received on its release in 2003 and included this great track.

7. Villagers

Dun Laoghaire’s Conor O’Brien landed himself a Mercury Prize in 2010 for the band’s debut album, ‘Becoming A Jackal’, and subsequent releases have also found favour with the critics. Intelligent songwriting lies at the heart of their appeal.

8. Bell X1

Hailing from Lucan, Paul Noonan’s merry band are one of the most successful acts to come out of the capital in recent decades. We love this track in particular, taken from their 2006 album ‘Flock’.

9. The Script

These Southsiders have enjoyed international success since the release of their eponymous debut album in 2008. Their Croke Park concert in 2015 was the pinnacle of their career to date.

10. The Riptide Movement

Also from Lucan, these seasoned buskers worked hard to get to where they are today, helped in no small part by Amy Huberman’s starring role in the video for this ridiculously infectious song.

And not forgetting… Thin Lizzy

We got into serious trouble for leaving these legends off our original list. Led by the late Phil Lynott, who grew up in the south city suburb of Crumlin, it was a shameful oversight on our part. Our bad, as the kids say. Hope this video makes up for it.